PALO ALTO, Calif., (Space Systems/Loral) (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (Nasdaq:LORL) and the world's leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that it was selected to provide a new direct broadcast satellite (DBS) for DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH). The new satellite, which is based on SS/L's space-proven 1300 platform, will support the expansion of DISH Network's programming and services.

EchoStar XV is planned for launch in 2010. It will be the eighth SS/L satellite built for EchoStar.

"Both DISH Network and SS/L share the same kind of passion for excellence that is helping to advance the Direct-to-Home television industry," said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral. "We are very proud of our continued close working relationship with DISH Network."

"Space Systems/Loral's record of reliability and their high powered platform are very important to our business," said Rohan Zaveri, vice president of Space Programs for DISH Network. "We are pleased to add another Space Systems/Loral-built satellite to the DISH Network fleet."

EchoStar XV is based on the space-proven Space Systems/Loral 1300 satellite bus, which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications. To date SS/L satellites have amassed more than 1,400 years of reliable on-orbit service.

About DISH Network Corporation

DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) provides more than 13.695 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable companies for seven years running. DISH Network customers also enjoy access to a premier line of award-winning Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company.

About Space Systems/Loral

Based in Palo Alto, California, SS/L designs and builds satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government customers around the world. As the leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite operators to deliver spacecraft for a broad range of services including direct-to-home television, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and digital multimedia broadcasting. With a 50-year history and more than 1,400 on-orbit years logged, SS/L helps customers meet business objectives with advanced solutions based on space-proven heritage designs.

About Loral Space & Communications

Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. Through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary, the company is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems for commercial and government applications including direct-to-home television, broadband communications, wireless telephony, weather monitoring and air traffic management. Loral also owns 64 percent of Telesat Canada, one of the world's largest providers of satellite services. Telesat Canada operates a fleet of telecommunications satellites used to broadcast video entertainment programming, distribute direct-to-home video and broadband data services, and other value-added communications services.